Hydra Steps into Saturation Diving Arena

Offshore and subsea construction company Hydra has entered the saturation diving market with a diving support vessel, the M/V Subsea Responder.

The company has converted its flagship vessel and acquired a saturation diving system to prepare for the influx of projects as the oil and gas industry experiences an upturn.

“The oil and gas industry is showing signs of a bounce back reaching a five-year low. During that time, not all companies servicing the industry survived, which has left a need in the marketplace we’re eager to fill,” said Trevor Davis, president and CEO.

Newly installed on the vessel, the SAT-14 is a 12-man saturated diving system that allows longer duration in-water working time and greater working depths than are achievable using surface diving techniques.

“The decision to convert the M/V Subsea Responder was easy,” said Brent Sappington, Hydra project manager. “As an inspection, maintenance and repair vessel, she already had existing equipment and 60-ton active heave compensated crane that made the alteration ideal.”